Daijiworld Media Network - Chandigarh
Chandigarh, Sep 10: Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha on Thursday hit back at his former party Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over its questions about how his name was added to the Delhi electoral roll, saying the party was behaving like an "ex-girlfriend" that had failed to move on.
Taking a swipe at AAP's repeated references to him, Chadha said the party was "only dreaming" of him and continued to call his name even after he had moved on.
"AAP is only dreaming of me and calling my name. AAP is behaving like an ex-girlfriend and the boyfriend has moved on," Chadha said while speaking in Chandigarh.
"I hope they cut their nerve because of me," he added.
Chadha's remarks came after AAP sought clarity from the Election Commission on the process through which his name was added to the Delhi electoral roll. The party has asked the poll panel to make the relevant Form 6 public and provide an opportunity for objections.
AAP national media in-charge Anurag Dhanda asked the Election Commission to clarify when and where Chadha filed Form 6, the application used for new voter registration.
Referring to records of the Rajinder Nagar Assembly constituency, Dhanda claimed Chadha's name did not appear in the Form 6 applications received between September 1 and 7.
"The Election Commission has stated that a voter can be added through Form 6, Form 7 or Form 8. If Chadha's name has been added through Form 6, the Election Commission should clarify when it was filed and where it is," Dhanda said.
Dhanda also questioned how Chadha's name appeared at serial number 747 when the draft electoral roll published on August 31 contained entries only up to serial number 746. The final electoral roll is scheduled to be published on November 4.
"If Chadha has filed Form 6 in Delhi, the Election Commission should make it public and give people an opportunity to file objections, as is done in the case of any ordinary citizen," Dhanda said.
The latest exchange comes months after Chadha's switch from AAP to the BJP, adding another flashpoint to the rivalry between the two parties.
With the electoral roll revision process underway, the dispute over Chadha's voter registration has provided fresh ground for both sides to attack each other's political credibility.
Chadha also criticised the AAP government's record in Punjab, particularly over the drug menace.
Comparing the availability of drugs with essential supplies, he said the situation in Punjab had reached a point where "the lines for drugs are similar to the lines of ration".
"In Punjab, the current situation on drugs is such that the lines for drugs are similar to the lines of ration," Chadha said, alleging that chitta was being delivered to people's homes and that drugs were being sold openly in towns and villages.
"There is home delivery of chitta. There is drug being sold in towns and villages. You give big advertisements that drugs are becoming less," he said.
Chadha also questioned the treatment of those who speak out against the drug crisis, referring to the recent suicide of Gulzar Singh in Sangrur.
"What was the fault of Gulzar Singh, who said his son was suffering because of drugs? If someone asks a question, he is being forced to commit suicide. Is asking a question a crime?" Chadha said.
He alleged that Gulzar Singh had been humiliated before consuming sulphas and said the incident had left people across Punjab deeply distressed.
"Today every Punjabi is pained," Chadha said.
Chadha further alleged that BJP leaders who went to meet Gulzar Singh's family were obstructed by AAP workers and the administration.
He claimed that the drug problem had increased over the past 15 years and questioned the AAP government's efforts to address it.
"In the past 15 years, drugs have increased. What has AAP done on drugs?" he asked.